Kitchen Masochist

Today’s dVerse challenge is to write a confessional verse.

the arm that I’ve kept iced and braced
through the December rush of charcuterie platters,
-I’ll get it seen to when the catering is done-
aches like flames on cast iron
turns butters into boils
and I chop on, these onions
won’t dice themselves
tomorrow a cheesecake, orange compote, and ginger crust
salmon and steak for fourteen,
somebody else’s party I’ll ensure
when I’m in early, a prep list
a mise en place of musts
I’m trying so hard to learn
-I’ll do them, don’t worry-
to delegate and mentor and teach
when I’m making it up as I go
I do not know if the satisfaction
of making things happen
is nature or nurture
generous or needy

Here’s tonight’s appetizers. I’m calling it Ozymandias.